Search the news for ways to stand out

“I am at a standstill with my job search. I’ve sent countless resumes and applications but I haven’t gotten any offers that are a good fit. I have attended networking groups, but I really just need to find a job. What else can I do?”

It sounds like your job search may have run out of steam. This can happen when you depend too much on any one job-search technique, such as applying for posted jobs. A healthy job search uses several tools. Here’s one that’s often overlooked: Business news.

You should be checking local and national news outlets, online sources and industry-related blogs regularly, because any nugget of information you find can help you stand out from the crowd. For example, when companies receive new funding or are awarded large contracts, there usually is some growth and that can lead to opportunities to expand the workforce.

Companies that announce new product offerings, expansion of services or relocations probably need additional talent to help with the transition.

This is a “spot offering” technique that helps you identify opportunities that have not made it to the posting stage but are still in the heads of hiring decision-makers.

Review your transferable skills by looking at different industries that could use your background and experience. In most cases, when businesses expand, functional areas such as sales, marketing, technology, operations and finance often need additional workers.

Staying aware of potential growth opportunities gives you the chance to capture the interest of decision makers. Conducting good research will help you market your qualifications to the potential problems companies face when going through change.

There are several ways to market the skills you have that relate to the employer’s needs, including a well-defined cover letter that clearly highlights your abilities and value.

Prospecting letters are primarily for opportunities that are not posted – the hidden job market. When using this approach, be concise as you highlight areas of your background, being careful not to inflate your accomplishments. Market them in a way that draws interest. Your goal is to develop a dialogue about their needs and your experience.